Variation in Surrogate Breeding Habitat Quality Between Continuously Grazed Rangelands and Late-Cut Hayfields for a Threatened Grassland Birds

Rangelands and hayfields provide a large portion of remaining surrogate habitat for many species of declining grassland birds in North America. We compared late-cut hayfields and continuously grazed pastures at low to moderate cattle densities for providing suitable breeding habitat in eastern Canada for the nationally threatened Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus). To examine the quality of both habitats, we conducted point counts and monitored 87 nests during the 2015 and 2016 breeding seasons. Bobolink abundance and daily survival rate (DSR) of nests were modeled sequentially by habitat and sex as a function of vegetation structure, prey availability, and agricultural management. Year and habitat were the strongest predictors of abundance. When analyzed separately for pastures and hayfields, vegetation height was most important for female abundance in pastures while pasture size was most important for males. Nests in hayfields had significantly higher daily survival (DSR = 0.98 ± 0.01) than nests in pastures (DSR = 0.94 ± 0.01). Nesting success was highest in hayfields with taller vegetation, while in pastures, no microhabitat variable showed a clear relationship with DSR. Within pastures, cattle stocking densities of ≤ 1 animal units (AU) · ha^? 1 were not related to DSR. This study provides evidence that late-cut hay is of highest quality, but that small-scale beef farms with low to moderate stocking densities are suitable targets for conservation efforts of Bobolinks in eastern North America.     

自由牧马对草甸草地群落结构及牧草品质的影响:以新疆昭苏夏马场为例研究

为探明自由牧马对草甸草地群落结构及牧草品质的影响,在新疆昭苏夏马场设置放牧试验,采用控制笼进行对照,分析了2013-2015年草地群落结构及牧草营养品质的动态变化。结果表明:(1)无芒雀麦(Bromus inermis)、羊茅(Festuca ovina)等一些马喜食的禾本科牧草的相对密度降低,狼毒(Euphorbia fischeriana)、龙胆(Gentiana scabra)等一些毒性植物和马不食植物的相对密度升高,但主要优势植物变化不大;(2)在3年夏场放牧中,草甸草地多样性指数(Simpson指数)维持在0.74～0.81;不同植物种类重要值变化趋势不同,白三叶(Trifolium repens)、草地早熟禾(Poa pratensis)和龙胆在群落中重要值增加,而细果苔草(Carex stenocarpa)和羊茅的重要值显著降低;(3)牧草中的中性洗涤纤维(NDF)和酸性洗涤纤维(ADF)总体呈现上升趋势;粗蛋白(CP)含量随着放牧年限的增加从13.4%下降到11.3%,仍可达到马对粗蛋白含量(8%)的基本要求。由试验可知:目前的放牧强度(5匹马·ha-1)基本维持了草地的可持续性,但一定程度上降低了牧草的品质。     

Obtaining Wisent early blastocyst in vitro is a basic for protection and creation of biodiversity for this threatened species

Wisent, or European bison (Bison bonasus), is listed as “vulnerable” on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species and is therefore protected by international law. For the first time, a Wisent embryo has been obtained in vitro. This procedure creates a new opportunity to protect and increase Wisent reproductive potential and thereby opens new possibilities for the establishment of a controlled and broad reserve of the gene pool.     

Salmonella Oranienburg Isolated from Horses,Wild Turkeys and An Edible Home Garden Fertilized with Raw Horse Manure

In July 2010, a horse from a rural farm (Farm A) in coastal Northern California was diagnosed with Salmonella Oranienburg infection following referral to a veterinary hospital for colic surgery. Environmental sampling to identify potential sources and persistence of Salmonella on the farm was conducted from August 2010 to March 2011. Salmonella was cultured using standard enrichment and selective plating. Pure colonies were confirmed by biochemical analysis, serotyped and compared by pulsed‐field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) analysis. A total of 204 clinical and environmental samples at Farm A were analysed, and Salmonella spp. was isolated from six of eight (75%) horses, an asymptomatic pet dog, two of seven (28.6%) water samples from horse troughs, nine of 20 (45%) manure storage pile composites, 16 of 71 (22.5%) wild turkey faeces and four of 39 (10.3%) soil samples from the family's edible home garden. Well water and garden vegetable samples and horse faecal samples from a neighbouring ranch were negative. S. Oranienburg with a PFGE pattern indistinguishable from the horse clinical strain was found in all positive sample types on Farm A. The investigation illustrates the potential for widespread dissemination of Salmonella in a farm environment following equine infections. We speculate that a recent surge in the wild turkey population on the property could have introduced S. Oranienburg into the herd, although we cannot rule out the possibility wild turkeys were exposed on the farm or to other potential sources of Salmonella. Findings from the investigation indicated that raw horse manure applied as fertilizer was the most likely source of garden soil contamination. Viable S. Oranienburg persisted in garden soil for an estimated 210 days, which exceeds the 120‐day standard between application and harvest currently required by the National Organic Program. The study underscores the need to educate the public about potential food safety hazards associated with using raw animal manure to fertilize edible home gardens.     

Equine Multinodular Pulmonary Fibrosis and Lymphoma in a Horse Associated with Equine Herpesvirus-5

A 9-year-old mare presented with a 2-week history of partial anorexia, multiple swellings in the area of the throatlatch, and purulent nasal discharge. On initial presentation, the horse had submandibular and retropharyngeal lymphadenopathy, mild ventral edema, and weight loss. Thoracic radiographs revealed a pulmonary interstitial pattern. Necropsy revealed enlarged lymph nodes throughout the body. The lung parenchyma contained multiple random, well-circumscribed nodules, which, on cut section, were pale, tan colored, and very firm with a distinct line of demarcation from the surrounding normal parenchyma. The subendocardium of the left ventricle, left atrium, and, multifocally, the right ventricle contained white, gritty areas of mineralization. There was marked subintimal mineralization of the aorta and pulmonary artery. Histopathology of the lymph nodes revealed effacement of the parenchyma by a neoplasm composed of large numbers of small mature lymphocytes, fewer large lymphocytes, and scattered moderate numbers of histiocytes. Immunohistochemistry tests for CD3, CD79a, and CD20, confirmed the lymphoma was T-cell-rich B-cell lymphoma. The lungs contained marked interstitial fibrosis with alveolar histiocytosis. Polymerase chain reaction test results of lymph node and lungs were positive for equine herpesvirus-5 (EHV-5), a gammaherpesvirus. Gammaherpesvirus infection has been associated with lymphoma and pulmonary fibrosis in other species. This report describes the association between EHV-5 and both pulmonary fibrosis and lymphoma.     

Third‐Degree Atrioventricular Block and Collapse Associated with Eosinophilic Myocarditis in a Horse

Third‐degree atrioventricular block (AVB) and primary inflammatory myocarditis are uncommon findings in horses. The horse of this report presented for collapse at rest and was found to have multiple cardiac arrhythmias, most notably 3rd‐degree AVB. The horse was subsequently diagnosed with eosinophilic myocarditis on necropsy, a rare form of myocarditis not previously reported in horses. Despite extensive testing, an etiologic agent could not be identified, illustrating the difficulty in identifying a specific cause of myocarditis in horses.     

Probiotics-induced Changes in Intestinal Structure and Gut Microbiota Are Associated with Reduced Rate of Pimpled Eggs in the Late Laying Period of Hens

Production of pimpled or sandpaper-shelled eggs (SE) is a major problem in aged hens. Probiotics can improve eggshell quality; however, the relationship between SE production and gut bacteria remains unclear. Here, 1200 450-d-old Hy-line hens were assigned to four groups (300 hens each), with the control group fed basal diet and treatment groups fed basal diet plus 500, 1000, and 1500 mg/kg of Clostridium butyricum and Bacillus subtilis, respectively. After 4 weeks, probiotics significantly decreased the SE rate from 42.51% to 28.02%. To address why probiotics reduced SE rate, the hens that only produced normal eggs (NE) or SE based on a 2-week assessment were assigned to three groups (NE, SE, and SEP groups; 10 hens each), with the NE and SE groups fed a basal diet and SEP group fed a basal diet plus 1000 mg/kg probiotics. After 4 weeks, ileal tissues from eight birds/group were collected for histomorphological and gene expression analyses, and the ileal content was collected from five birds/group for 16S rDNA sequencing analysis. The data showed that probiotics significantly increased the villus length and ratio of villus length to crypt depth. Quantitative PCR analysis indicated that there were no significant differences in the expression of genes related to tight junctions, nutrient transport, and calcium absorption among the groups (except TRPV6, P<0.001). The 16S rDNA sequencing analysis indicated that the alpha-diversity of gut bacteria in the SEP group was the highest among the groups. The Firmicutes phylum was dominant in the NE and SEP groups, whereas the Proteobacteria phylum was dominant in the SE group. Together, these results suggest that probiotics can significantly influence the intestinal structure and composition of the intestinal microbiota, which may lead to a reduction in the SE rate in aged hens.     

Pituitary Dwarfism in Saarloos and Czechoslovakian Wolfdogs is Associated with a Mutation in LHX3

Background

Pituitary dwarfism in German Shepherd Dogs is associated with autosomal recessive inheritance and a mutation in LHX3, resulting in combined pituitary hormone deficiency. Congenital dwarfism also is encountered in breeds related to German Shepherd Dogs, such as Saarloos and Czechoslovakian wolfdogs.

Objectives

To investigate whether Saarloos and Czechoslovakian wolfdog dwarfs have the same LHX3 mutation as do Germans Shepherd Dog dwarfs. A specific aim was to determine the carrier frequency among Saarloos and Czechoslovakian wolfdogs used for breeding.

Animals

Two client‐owned Saarloos wolfdogs and 4 client‐owned Czechoslovakian wolfdogs with pituitary dwarfism, 239 clinically healthy client‐owned Saarloos wolfdogs, and 200 client‐owned clinically healthy Czechoslovakian wolfdogs.

Methods

Genomic DNA was amplified using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). In the Saarloos and Czechoslovakian wolfdog dwarfs, PCR products were analyzed by sequencing. DNA fragment length analysis was performed on the samples from the clinically healthy dogs.

Results

Saarloos and Czechoslovakian wolfdog dwarfs have the same 7 bp deletion in intron 5 of LHX3 as do German Shepherd Dog dwarfs. The frequency of carriers of this mutation among clinically healthy Saarloos and Czechoslovakian wolfdogs used for breeding was 31% and 21%, respectively.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

An LHX3 mutation is associated with pituitary dwarfism in Saarloos and Czechoslovakian wolfdogs. The rather high frequency of carriers of the mutated gene in the 2 breeds emphasizes the need for screening before breeding. If all breeding animals were genetically tested for the presence of the LHX3 mutation and a correct breeding policy would be implemented, this disease could be eradicated completely.     

牦牛放牧率对江河源区混播禾草地上初级生产量及种间竞争力的影响

在江河源区2龄混播禾草草地(垂穗披碱草 星星草)上牦牛放牧试验结果表明: 随着放牧率的增加,在生长期内不同功能群地上净初级生产量和总地上初级生产量均出现了单峰曲线变化,即“S”型变化趋势; 总的地上净初级生产量和垂穗披碱草地上净初级生产量对放牧率的变化很敏感, 且随着放牧率的增加, 峰值出现日期提前; 其它禾草和星星草的峰值对放牧率的变化不很敏感;莎草类和杂草类对放牧率的变化比较敏感。随放牧率的增加, 地上现存量和总地上初级生产量的峰值下降, 且达到峰值的时间提前。在整个放牧期(植物生长期),重度放牧的RYT值均小于1,表明重度放牧使垂穗披碱草和星星草一直处于拮抗状态,其它各处理组在生长中后期也处于拮抗状态; 不同放牧率(包括对照)下垂穗披碱草的竞争力强于星星草, 垂穗披碱草因其高度和发达而较深的根系成为竞争的优胜者。     

Diffusion weighted magnetic resonance imaging is a feasible method for characterizing regional lymph nodes in canine patients with head and neck disease

In dogs diagnosed with solid tumors, regional lymph node involvement or evidence of distant metastasis can predict worse prognoses and significantly decreased survival. Lymph node size alone has been shown to be insufficient as a predictor for the accurate clinical staging of some canine neoplasia. However, certain regional lymph nodes (including those of the oral cavity) are difficult to access for routine tissue sampling. Diffusion weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has demonstrated the ability to differentiate metastatic from inflammatory/benign lymph nodes in clinical studies with human cancer patients through the calculation of quantitative values of diffusion termed apparent diffusion coefficients (ADC). The objective of this prospective, exploratory study was to evaluate diffusion‐weighted MRI and ADC as potential methods for detecting metastatic lymph nodes in dogs with naturally occurring disease. We hypothesized that diffusion‐weighted MRI would identify significantly different ADC values between benign and metastatic lymph nodes in a group of canine patients with head or neck disease. Our study population consisted of eight client‐owned canine patients, with a total of 20 lymph nodes evaluated (six metastatic, 14 benign). Our results demonstrated that two of four observers identified a significant difference between the mean ADC values of the benign and metastatic lymph nodes. When data from all four observers were pooled, the difference between the mean apparent diffusion coefficients values of the benign and metastatic lymph nodes did not reach significance (P‐value = 0.0566). Findings indicated that diffusion‐weighted MRI is a feasible method for further characterizing enlarged lymph nodes in dogs with head and neck disease, however measured ADC values did not differ for benign vs. metastatic lymph nodes in this small sample of dogs.